It happened years ago with Sam Walton building on the HWY a half mile or so outside of the county seats. But in a somewhat humane manner. Before construction, they contacted local businesses, like a jewelry store, and allowed them to choose to locate in an area of the new store with it's own counter and cash register. Walmart got a piece of their action. Unique price tags scanned at the main check outs would also go to the independent operator. This has evolved to them now building pretty well where they chose to and I don't know if some departments, like prescription drugs, are solely owned by Walmart or not.
Of course it is quite different now with Amazon usually not occupying buildings and on-line sales has taken a toll. You'll find many vacated downtown locations that had previously been occupied by sole proprietors as well as some prior chain stores like dime, grocery, paint, hardware, drugs and clothing.
My point, the move to on-line is more the fault of computers than Sam or now Jeff.
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